Introduce Mandatory Sex and Relationships Education

A 2014 survey by Girlguiding UK found 59% of young women aged 13-21 had faced some form of sexual harassment at school or college in the past year.

Research published in June by the NSPCC showed that the majority of boys who viewed online pornography believed it provided a realistic depiction of sex.

Figures released this February by the Office for National Statistics revealed one in three rape victims is under 16, and that the majority of rape victims (male or female) are aged between 15-19. They also revealed that young people are more likely to be in controlling relationships, or to think controlling behaviour is acceptable.

We are failing to protect our children and young people. It is vital that we teach young people about consent and respect.

We call for a commitment to making SRE compulsory and forming a whole school approach to ending all forms of violence against women and girls, including by addressing inequality between men and women and gender stereotypes.

SRE should be mandatory for all state-funded primary and secondary schools, and be taught by specialist teachers and providers.